Officials discuss funding for NH-Maine bridge

PORTSMOUTH, N.ew Hampshire (AP) -- New Hampshire say replacing a 75-year-old bridge connecting the state to Maine is a priority, but work is still being done to find the funding sources.

Members of New Hampshire's House Public Works and Highway Committee on Thursday visited the Sarah Long Bridge in Portsmouth, the state's No. 1 red-listed bridge.

Work on the $160 million replacement bridge is expected to begin in 2015, with completion in 2017. Maine and New Hampshire co-own the bridge. Each has committed $80 million.

Federal Highway Administration funding will pay for the bulk of the project, but lawmakers said the states are looking to apply for the next round of federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grants.

The two states were unsuccessful in securing a $25 million TIGER grant last fall.